With a gleaming rosy hue (its name is no mistake) and understated elegance, rose gold has made its way to the forefront of the metallic trend. Not quite gold and not quite silver, this sunny-hued metal has been heating up everything from clothing and accessories to nail polish and makeup. But what exactly is rose gold?

Translation: Whether solid or plated, rose gold is a mix of gold and copper that’s usually 75% gold and 25% copper. The more copper, the stronger the rosy hue. Who knew?